ATHENS:
Day1. We stayed right in the Old ( and very central ) part of Athens called the Plaka. Athens is a large sprawling city of some 5 odd million people. Wow what a cool place...Fantastic architecture, centuries old churches, small winding streets packed with interesting shops and Tavernas right below the Acropolis and Parthenon. Our first day ( afternoon ) saw 9 of us meeting up for an investigatory walk around our immediate surrounding area and up towards the Acropolis, stumbling across two guys just sitting around and playing some fantastic music, then after for dinner at a rooftop restaurant, with spectacular views all around, where we were entertained by a guitarist and bouzouki player and later a singer for some traditional Greek folk music and of course an obligatory rendition of Zorba , where, having been fuelled by delicious food and compulsory Ouzo, the locals had us all up dancing.
Day 2 had us on a bus tour of some of the nearby historic sites such as the original Olympic Games site ( the amphitheatre holds 690000 seated ) then to the Temple of Zeus, on to Parliament where the Guards perform the most odd ritual changing of the guard every hour – reminiscent of Monty Pythons Silly Walks.
Moving on past many impressive historic and Government Buildings and on up to the Acropolis and Parthenon. We stayed and looked around this immensely impressive site for quite a while taking in the immensity of this magnificent construction and the views in all directions over Athens. A walk downhill towards our hotel took us firstly to a much needed cafe for lunch then through the historic Agora with more fantastic ancient buildings and gardens. Next was some shopping and looking through the old Markets then back to the hotel for refreshments, nuts chippies and gin and tonics. Another delicious dinner of greek salad, moussaka and souvlaki....and more ouzo.
SANTORINI
Day3. A 4 ½ hour high speed catamaran trip had us arriving at the stunningly beautiful island of Santorini early afternoon. Santorini is now a crescent shaped island and it and some other smaller islands being the remains of one of the worlds largest volcanic exlosions.Our hotel was simply gorgeous perched at the top of steep cliffs looking down into the vivid blue sea and out to some of the smaller islands, one being the core of the old volcano. We all caught the courtesy bus to the main town and after some serious coffee and a beer we split up into the shopping crew ( the girls – Lynne, Sue, Margie and Raewyn ) and the sightseeing and photography crew ( Brian and Stu ). Santorini is just like a postcard with it’s bright white plastered buildings, curved rooves and brilliant blue domed roofs of the many churches.
Next day ( 4 ) had us hiring a Fiat Dublo 6 seater and off to explore the island. Narrow laned windy roads with rock walls, vineyards, a monastery, some pretty little villages, beaches including one to stop for lunch and some art and craft shops had us all feeling pretty awe struck,
and, after a big day, ready for some G and T’s ( just in case ), followed by a serious dinner.
MYKONOS
Day 5. After a leisurely breakfast and time to pack, another high speed catamaran trip and we arrived at Mykonos late afternoon. Again we were treated to a lovely hotel with views over a small beach and towards the main town. An exploration of Mykonos town followed and although different from Santorini, still a very beautiful town with myriads of tiny ( walking only ) winding streets full of shops, tavernas, cafes and restaurants. Some of the buildings are perched right on the rocky shoreline with a seaside promenade and a group of windmills complete a picture of such quaint beauty. Dinner at a seaside tavern with the sun setting in a blaze of colour completed another perfect day.
Day 6 saw the hiring of another Fiat Dublo and off to explore the island and find some nice beaches for swimming. Mykonos doesn’t have so many small villages
but does have some great beaches and our first of many swims were had at the first beautiful ( and the only empty ) beach we encountered. The water is just so clear and although a little cool was just totally invigorating. Mykonos beaches are also renowned as being nudist friendly. Some
very all over tans were witnessed along with an amazing array of body shapes, sizes and degrees of sagging, hanging, dangling etc...enough said. I am pleased to report however that Board Shorts outnumbered Budgie Smugglers ( among those clothed ) so taste still prevails. One crazy thing is that at all the beaches ( those that have them ) you have to hire out the beach umbrellas and loungers at 12 Euros ( $24 ) per day for two. You can just park up on the sand but the Tavernas and restaurants who run these must be making a killing on these rentals as most people were using them.
One thing that struck us on both Islands is that there are cats everywhere – they are somewhat famous with a variety of books and calendars featuring them ....nobody in particular seems to own many of them but everyone seems to look after and feed them, so the cats are very friendly and very well fed. In Athens however it is the same but with dogs...Kind of communal pet ownership and enjoyment, and it all seems to work very well.
Day 7 and we had to catch a slow ferry back to Athens. This was the best boat trip of all three as we could sit outside on the rear deck, relax and enjoy the trip and the views and avail ourselves of the deck cafe. In the fast ferries you are assigned a seat inside and it is a bit like being on a plane.
The next day after a hearty breakfast ( lots of bacon – again!! ) we had to leave this wonderful country and head back to Doha.... We cant recommend Greece highly enough and would love to go back again and spend a lot more time there – It aint cheap as on many things ( not the food though which is quite reasonable ) you spend a Euro as you would a dollar, probably like all of Europe, but what a spectacularly beautiful and interesting and friendly place to visit.
SCORE - 8.75 out of 10.
1 comment:
Oh to be a Grecian cat in my next life.
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